Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-06-16

him, GagoOl reviling us bitterly as we came.
As we drew near, Twala, for the first time,
lifted up his plumed head, and fixed his one
eye. which seemed to flash with suppressed
fury Almost as brightly a. he great diadem
bound round his forehead, upod his success
fu rival-IgnoSi
Hail, oh. kingv he said with bitter
mockery; thou who hast eaten of my
bread, and now by the aid of the white mans
magic hast Seduced my regiments and de
feated mine army, hall what fate hast thou
for me, oh, king?''
The fate thou gavest to my father, whose
throne thou hast sat on these many yearS!'
was the stern answer.
1T is well. will show thee how to die,
that thou mayest remember &c against thine
own time. See, the SUP sinks in BLOOD"
and he pointed with his red battle-ax toward
the frey orb now going down; sit is well
that my sun should sink with it. And now,
OH, king! / am ready to die, but crave the
boon of the Kukuana royal house, to die
fighting. Thou canst not refuse it, or even
those towards who fled to-day will hold thee
shamed."
sit is granted. Choose with whom viii;
thou fight? Myself l cannot fight thee, for
the king fights not except in war"
Twala's somber eye ran up and down our
ranks, and l felt. as for moment it rested
on myself, that the position had developed
new horror. What if be chose to begin by
fighting me? What chance should L have
against desperate savage six feet high, and
broad in proportion? might AS well com
nit suicide at once. Hastily made up my
mind to decline the combat even if were
hooted out of Kukuanaland as a consequence.
1t is, l think, better to be booted than to be
quartered with battle-ax.
Presently he spoke.
''Incubu, what sayest thou, shall we end
what we began to-day, or shall I call thee
coward, whichever to the liver?'
Nay" interposed Ignosi; thou shalt not
fight with Incubu."
Not il he is afraid" said Twala.
Unfortunately Sir Henry understood this
remark, and the blood famed up into his
cheeks.
II will fight him." he said; ''he shall see
if | am afraid"
''For Gods sake" entreated, ''don't risk
your life against that of a desperate man.
Anybody who saw you to-day wiz know that
you are not a coward"
Il will fight him." was the sullen answer
am ready now?' and he stepped forward
and lifted his ak.
| wrung my hands over this absurd piece
of quiXotsm; but if he was determined on
fighting, of course ] could not stop him.
Flight not, my white brother" said IgnOsi,
laying his hand affectionately on Sir Henry's
arm; "thou hast fought enough, and il aught
befell thee at his hands it would cutmy heart
in twain"
81 will fight, Ignosi," was Sir Henry's an
swer.
''It is well, Incubu; thou art a brave man..
1t will be good fight. Behold Twala, the
elephant is ready for thee"
The eX-king laughed savagely, and stepped
forward and faced Curtis. For a moment
they stood thus and the setting sun caught
their Stalwart frames and clothed them both
in fire. They were a wel-matched pair
Then they began to circle round each
otner. their battle axes raised Suddenly
Sir Henry sprang forward and struck fear
full blow at Twala, who stepped to one side.
So heavy was the stroke that the striker half
overbalanced himself, circumstance OF
which his antagonist took a prompt advan-
tage. Crcling his heavy battle-ax round his
hea /, he brought it Gown with tremendous
force. NJ heart jumped into my mouth; |
thought that the affair was already finished.
But no. with quick upward movement of
the left arm Sir Henry interposed his shield
betwPet: hi,;:solf ana the AK, with the result
that its outer edge was shorn clean off, The
ak falling on his left shoulder but not heav-
ly enough to do any serious damage. In an
other second Sir Henry got in another blow,
which was also received by TWala upon his
shield. Then followed blow upon blow
which were in turn, either received upon the
shield or avoided. The excitement grew in
tense; the regiment which was watching the
encounter forgot its discipline. and, drawing
near, shouted and groaned at every stroke
Just at this time, too, Good, who had been
laid upon the ground by me, recovered from
his faint, and, sitting up perceived what
was going on. In an instant he was up, and
catching hold of my arm, hoped about from
place to place on one leg dragging me after
him, yelling out announcements to Sir
Henry.
go it, old fellowp' he halloed THAT
was good one! Give it him amidShips."
and 80 on.
Presently Sir Henry, having caught a
fresh stroke upon his shield, hit out with all
his force. The stroke struck through Twa-
las shield and through the tough chain ar
NOR behind it, gashing him in the shoulder.
With yell of pain and fury Twala re-
turned the stroke with interest," and, such
was his strength, shore right through the
rhinoceros' horn handle of his antagonists
battle-ax, strengthened as it was with bands
of steel, wounding Curtis in the face.
A cry OF diSmay rose from the BuffalOes
as our hero'S broad ax-head fell to the
ground; and Twala, again raising his wea-
pom, flew at him with a shout. l shut my
eyes. When [ opened them again, it was to
see Sir Henry's shield lying on the ground,
and Sir Henry himself with his great arms
twined round Twala'S middle. To and fro
they swung, hugging each other like hears,
straining with all their mighty muscles for
dear life, and dearer honor. With supreme
effort Twala swung the EugiiShman clean
Off his feet, and down they came together,
rolling over and over on the lime paving.
Twaia striking out at Curtiss head with the
battte-ax, ana Sir Henry trying to drive the
tolla he had drawn from his belt through
Twala's armor.
1t was mighty struggle and an awful
thing to see
Get his aXr' yelled Good: and perhaps